Annual Diocesan Appeal reaches 65%

April 15, 2016, WORCESTER, MA – The Office of Development of the Diocese of Worcester has announced that as of April 15, 2016 it has received 11,185 gifts and pledges totaling $3,316,785 toward this year’s Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. The total raised to date represents 65% percent of the $5 million goal. The campaign officially launched at an event at the Diocesan Chancery on February 11.
At this stage, all of the 97 parishes and 3 missions in the diocese have conducted their initial appeal, also known as “In-pew Sunday,” and six have already surpassed goal. They are Christ the King, Our Lady of Loreto, and Sacred Heart-St. Catherine of Sweden Parishes in Worcester; St. Joseph, Charlton; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hopedale; and St. Rose of Lima, Northboro.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Called to be Merciful.” According to the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester “Each of our ministries demonstrates how we are exercising corporal and charitable works of mercy in our communities. I thank God for the generosity of our people who support these ministries as they give thanks to God for the graces received in their lives.”
Michael Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, noted that the majority of parishes are at 60% of their goal or higher. He also pointed out that the increased role for the donor societies. “Many donors are members of the various giving societies and are committed each year to this appeal,” he added. One of the newer societies invokes the guidance of St. John Vianney in recognizing any priests who have made a contribution of $1,000 or more. Another recently added society, the Holy Family Society, recognizes donor households for gifts of $7,500 or more. To date, there are 29 members of this society. All of the society honor rolls are publicly acknowledged after the appeal has concluded in a published appeal report. The 2015 report is available online at partners-charity.net.
The thirty agencies and ministries which receive funding from the appeal are
Clergy Retirement, Retired Priests Health Ministry, Catholic Charities, Haitian Apostolate, McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, Pernet Family Health Service, Seminarian Health Insurance, St. John Diocesan Cemetery System, Diocesan Development & Stewardship, Catholic Campus Ministry, Catholic Schools Department, The Office of Religious Education, Ongoing Priestly Formation, New Evangelization Worcester for Youth & Young Adults, Catholic School Grants-in-Aid, Seminarian Education, Central Catholic Schools Subsidy, Advanced Studies for Clergy and Laity, Communications Office, African Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Office of Marriage and Family, Minister to Priests, Office of the Diaconate, Respect Life Office, Saint Paul Cathedral, Vocations Office, Office for Divine Worship.
In addition to a report detailing how last year’s appeal funds were distributed, the appeal website also features a short video hosted by Bishop McManus with interviews of people who have been impacted by this appeal. Donations can be made directly on line and the donor’s designated parish will receive credit towards their goal. For more information, visit www.partners-charity.net or contact a local pastor or the Office of Development at 508-929-4368.